Church of Christ, Scientist Seeks Purchase of Hildene Retreat in Vermont Before Sale to Others

The Town of Manchester, Vermont, found itself in an unexpected situation in 1976 when the First Church of Christ, Scientist, a religious organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, announced plans to sell the historic Hildene estate. The property, once the home of Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son, had been vacant since the death of Peggy Lincoln Beckwith, the great-granddaughter of the former president, in 1975. The Church, which had acquired the estate through a bequest from Peggy’s grandmother, Mary Harlan Lincoln, sought to sell the property within ninety days or risk losing it to other buyers.

Mary Harlan Lincoln, who had been a member of the Christian Science Church, had expressed a desire for the estate to be transferred to the Church in the event of her death, should there be no heirs. This wish was carried forward by Peggy Lincoln Beckwith, who included the property and her financial assets in her 1950 estate plan. The Church, therefore, held legal title to Hildene until local residents sought to reclaim it.

In July 1976, Manchester town manager Hank Lambert informed residents of the Church’s plan to sell the property, sparking a community effort to acquire it. A committee of nine was formed to explore options for purchasing Hildene, which was priced at $625,000 at the time—equivalent to about $3.5 million in 2026. The group, later known as the Friends of Hildene, began organizing and fundraising to meet the Church’s demand.

The Friends of Hildene faced significant challenges in raising the necessary funds. At one meeting, the board was informed that an anonymous donor would contribute $200,000 immediately and a total of $1.5 million over time. This amount fell short of the Church’s expectations, prompting discussions about alternative strategies, including the possibility of selling part of the property. However, such proposals were ultimately rejected.

After months of negotiations, the Church agreed to accept the $200,000 offer in late 1977. The property was officially transferred to the Friends of Hildene in August 1978. The group celebrated their success, despite the remaining financial shortfall. The acquisition marked a significant moment in the community’s efforts to preserve a piece of Vermont’s history.

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